Immunosuppressive Acidic Protein (IAP) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCC) in Patients with Cervical Cancer

Abstract Immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) serum levels were assayed in a group of 63 primary cervical cancer patients. IAP serum levels were significantly higher in cancer patients (median, 630 μg/ml; range, 290-1150) than in controls (median, 290 μg/ml; range, 135-775) ( P 613 μg/ml) cases was 50.7%. SCC serum levels were found to be above 2.5 ng/ml in 73% of cervical cancer patients, and in 6% of controls. A statistically significant correlation was observed between IAP and SCC levels in cancer patients ( r = 0.35, P P = 0.036). In the univariate analysis, advanced stage of disease, clinical parametrial involvement, and lymph node involvement were also associated with poor survival. In the multivariate analysis IAP status showed a statistically significant association with poor survival ( P = 0.049), together with lymph node involvement ( P = 0.007) and advanced stage of disease ( P = 0.008).